Cam Newton made a successful return following ankle surgery, Jonathan Stewart ran for two touchdowns and the Carolina Panthers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 28-16 on Sunday night in Charlotte, N.C.

Newton was 4-for-9 passing for 65 yards and led two touchdown drives before exiting late the preseason game in the second quarter with Carolina up 14-6.

Stewart carried four times for 26 yards, with TD runs of 3 and 2 yards.

Carolina's first three possessions netted a yard and no first downs.

Stewart replaced DeAngelo Williams and immediately gave the Panthers a boost with a 17-yard carry around left end. The Panthers found their rhythm after that, driving 66 and 50 yards for touchdowns on their next two possessions.

"We had a slow start tonight, which is unacceptable," Newton said. "We have to stay on schedule and not waste opportunities. ... Kansas City's a good football team and we didn't match their intensity early, but it was good to put a few drives together and score some points."

Brees back: New Or- leans quarterback Drew Brees fully participated in practice for the first time since straining his left oblique muscle two weeks ago.

Brees hasn't missed a start because of injury since coming to New Orleans in 2006. He says he could have played in the Saints' 31-24 preseason win over Tennessee on Friday, but was playing it "smart" by getting extra rest.

Giants' woes: A 3-0 preseason record can't mask the New York Giants' problems. There are major concerns on the offensive end for the Giants, who play two more exhibition games before the season opener against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 8.

Quarterback Eli Manning appears lost in new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo's West Coast system. Manning is 1-for-9 for 6 yards in the two games he has played.

"Anytime you set up something like the offense, you expect them to be at certain points along the way," head coach Tom Coughlin said Sunday. "It is disappointing to not be advanced where we are."

Briefly: Atlanta left tackle Sam Baker, who played only four games in 2013 before an injury to his left knee ended his season, was ruled out for this season after he tore the patellar tendon in his right knee Saturday during a loss at Houston. ... Jacksonville receiver Cecil Shorts III returned to practice three weeks after straining his right hamstring.